"Right at the faculty, we can study the behaviour of the Korean reactor, its limits, strengths and weaknesses, which is something you can't just get to," says Jan Rataj, head of the FJFI Nuclear Reactor Department. "The acquisition of the simulator is the result of many years of cooperation between our department and the Koreans. Specifically, there is an annual exchange of students from both countries, but we are also the only ones to have ongoing research projects with Korean experts focused, for example, on the development of new and more durable nuclear fuels at the scientific level," Mr. Rataj adds.
In addition, the FJFI has launched a Nuclear Engineering in English study program in September, opening its doors to more applicants, including those from Korea, and is preparing exchange programs with Korean universities. KHNP is also currently developing a bachelor's, master's and doctoral programme in collaboration with CTU to train a new generation of nuclear engineers and experts focused on nuclear power plant operations.
According to ČEZ estimates, several hundred of these will be needed in the coming years. The question is whether the Czech Republic will be able to supply such a number of specialists. "There is only one university in the Czech Republic where you can actually touch a nuclear reactor while studying, and that is the 'nuclear faculty'. Since last year, we also have a second, so-called subcritical reactor to expand experimental teaching," says Václav Čuba, dean of CTU FJFI.
This year, 39% more applicants applied for the Nuclear Engineering programme at FJFI than last year. A slight increase in the number of students is registered at the entire faculty: from 381 enrolled "freshmen" last year to 410 this year. After the final signing of contracts between the Korean and Czech sides in early 2025, another wave of interest in nuclear studies can be expected.
"We certainly have the capacity for more students. The important thing is that students are not afraid of technology and the core. Our school is unique in that we offer specialisations in nuclear chemistry, dosimetry or new materials development in addition to reactor physics. Our graduates can thus find a job in all nuclear fields, including but not limited to energy, and we have well-equipped laboratories where students can get hands-on experience," adds Dean Čuba.
Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering has been educating real leaders in the field for a long time, the quality of its education is at a very high level in international comparison. "Among its graduates is Dana Drábová, who has been the chairwoman of the State Office for Nuclear Safety for 25 years," recalls Radek Holý, Vice-Rector of CTU. He also mentioned that CTU is the only university in the world that has both a fusion and a fission reactor.
New blocks around 2038
The construction of the Dukovany reactors should start in 2029, with the first block producing electricity in 2036. However, some experts consider this date unrealistic and point to a start date of 2038.
KHNP's plan envisages the maximum use of human resources from the Czech Republic; according to an analysis by Deník.cz, the involvement of Czech companies in the project should be as high as 60 percent. In September, KHNP selected 200 Czech companies that could cooperate in the construction of the nuclear units and concluded 76 memorandums of understanding. For example, Doosan Škoda Power is to supply the main turbine.
Korean companies have been active in the field of science and research in the Czech Republic since 2016. In 2020, the first joint energy research project between the Czech Technology Agency and the Korean Institute for Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) was launched under the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Korean Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy.